Two Medicine Lake

These are some more pictures from our outing on Wednesday evening. Can you tell that the kids couldn't resist getting their feet wet? The water was freezing cold, but they all seemed to think that it was fun.

Running Eagle Falls

On Wednesday evening we went to Glacier National Park with a friend and her daughter. We started at Running Eagle Falls, one of our favorite spots in the park. There was still quite a bit of snow on the ground, especially in shady areas. I made to mistake of wearing sandals--- oops!
We didn't get any pictures of the waterfall since we couldn't go across the water. It was very beautiful though!

Caleb was able to engage in his favorite pastime-- throwing rocks in the water.

It is hard to tell in the picture, but the pile of snow the kids are climbing on is at least as tall as Kathleen!

Muddy Hands

We spent Memorial Day weekend traveling. Stephen spoke in the Alliance church in Colstrip, MT on Sunday. It is quite a distance for us. We left on Friday after lunch, drove to Bozeman and spent the night in a hotel (with a swimming pool, of course.) Then we drove the rest of the way on Saturday. On the way home, we did the same thing, driving Sunday and Monday.
We enjoyed our time, but it was a lot of driving over the four days. The weather was rainy and chilly all weekend.
Yesterday the kids were out of sorts. I think it was a combination of traveling, and the yucky weather we've been having.
This afternoon things finally warmed up. The kids were so happy to be able to go outside and play, and I was happy to have them go out and play. Of course, they headed straight for the mud! Ian and Kathleen were working on digging a pit toilet in the backyard. Ian's plan was for them to dig the hole, and then Stephen could build a small hut and a toilet. Then the kids won't have to come inside when they need to use the bathroom. I could only smile and nod, while trying not to laugh.

Picnic in the Rain

Last Monday was the preschool picnic. The weekend had been warm and sunny, but Monday it was raining. The kids still really, really wanted to have a picnic outside, so Mrs. Olson let them. (It was only raining very lightly.) They were a little bit chilly, but they had a great time!

Preschool Graduation

Yesterday was preschool graduation for Isabelle and Kathleen. The class has 12 (or maybe 13) kids, and there were 8 who graduated. (The other ones have one more year in preschool before kindergarten.) Ms. Olson had hats and diplomas for each child. They were quite proud.
Ian was glad to be back, and have a chance to play with some of the toys that he remembered. I think he would be happy to go back to preschool! Aren't they all so cute!

Ian "filming" the action.

All of the graduates with Ms. Olson.

Wordless Wednesday- The Graduates

Tackle It Tuesday

I have pictures to post from the preschool picnic yesterday, but I left the camera at preschool. I will have to get it tomorrow when we go for preschool graduation.

I have done "tackles" the last 2 Tuesdays, but I never found the time to post about them. After returning from our trip, I started sorting through the kids clothes. This took me about 2 weeks (a little at a time.) I had to have Isabelle and Kathleen try on a lot of their summer clothes to see who fit which things. They are about one size different, so it works pretty well.
I took the things that were too small to another family, and packed most of the winter clothes in boxes. (We have to have a few things out for chilly days.) These boxes are now ready for our move this summer.
I also started with my winter clothes and *plan* to finish them today.
I was going to pack the coats and snow boots, but 2 Fridays ago it started snowing as we were leaving for Kalispell. Now that we have had 5-6 days where the high is above 60, I think I can pack those.

My goal for today is to go through the coat closet and do the following:
-decide what coats to keep for next year
-pack all but a few light jackets per person in a box
-sort the ones we are getting rid of to go to friends or yard sale

Then I want to tackle the mud room and do the same for shoes and snow boots....
but first I plan to take some cranky children on a long, long walk. :)

Bread Recipe

When we were in Lewistown, Kristi Diehl made some amazing bread. I asked for the recipe and have made it several times since then. I tweaked the recipe to make it "Ian-friendly," and I also changed the instant oats to old fashioned oats. I think it adds more texture. The recipe also called for 2 loaves, and I make it into 3. It is more work than the bread that I usually make, but definitely worth it. Here is the recipe the way I do it.

Best Bread Recipe

1 cup old fashioned oats
2 cups boiling (or very hot) soy milk
1/2 cup honey
1 Tablespoon salt
2 packages yeast (1/4 oz each)
1/3 cup lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon honey
1 beaten egg
2 Tablespoons soy margarine
2 cups whole wheat flour
4-5 cups bread flour

Pour boiling soy milk over oats, margarine, salt and honey. Let stand 20 minutes.
Dissolve yeast in warm honey water, stir into oat mixture. Add egg, then whole wheat flour. Add enough bread flour to make a stiff dough. Knead 8-10 minutes. Let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and shape into three loaves. Let rise in bread pans. Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes.

Picnic

Since they started talking about Spring in preschool, Isabelle has been asking to have a picnic. Yesterday, it was finally warm enough. We had beautiful weather, and the kids were able to spend much of the day outside.
In the morning, I left the curtains closed, so that Ian wouldn't be distracted from his schoolwork. Once that was done, the kids all headed outside. During the afternoon, we did our reading sitting outside. That is something you can't do in a traditional school setting.
Today is very nice as well. I plan to have the kids outside most of the day, so I better get off of the computer and get going.It's hard to get a good picture of someone when their mouth is full!

Kathleen was closing her eyes on purpose... because Isabelle did.

Last Awanas

Wednesday night was our last Awanas for the year. We had a closing program and awards ceremony. For the closing program all of the kids went up front and sang songs, lots and lots of songs!
Kathleen and Caleb were behind taller kids for most of the songs. They were enjoying themselves, though.

Yes, I know I'm adorable and admired.

Kathleen was a little nervous to do the motions, but she did sing along with the songs.

Ian is getting into the motions and having fun.

Are we done yet?

Back in the action for "Pharaoh, Pharaoh" one of Caleb's favorites. He was so cute doing all of the motions.

What you don't see in the pictures:
-Isabelle who was over tired, refused to go up with the other kids, and spent the time pouting in the front row.
-I managed to make two kids cry. (It's a special talent that I have.) One was a boy I moved after he repeatedly kicked Kathleen in the shin. He proceeded to melt down, and his dad had to come up and get him. I also made Isabelle cry by not doing exactly what she wanted.
-Stephen and I were sitting on opposite sides of the room, and after the first 10-15 minutes Caleb repeatedly ran back and forth across the front.
-For some reason Ian was crying and had to sit with Stephen, but he managed to recover and join back in for the last few songs.

After the closing program we went to our respective rooms so that the parents could see what we usually do each week. (Stephen and I work with the Cubbies- the preschool age. I love that age. They were such great kids; I will miss them when we move.) Then we went back to the auditorium to hand out awards, which was mercifully brief.

I have enjoyed Awanas, but I was ready for the year to come to an end. The driving back and forth, as well as the late nights were getting to me. There will be a summer Awanas starting in June, and I think just Stephen and Ian will be going to that one.

In other non-Awana news- We may be finished with the adoption mid-June. Stephen wrote about that on our other blog.
Our field trip to see the Harlequin ducks was snowed out, but we had a nice visit in Kalispell with the Orts. I took the camera, but never took any pictures.

Dancing in Cody

On Saturday evening, the girls dressed up in "princess dresses" and danced to some Disney music. They had lots of fun, and Caleb and Davis got in on the action as well.

Pictures from Cody

These pictures are from last Saturday in Cody. After the snow on Friday morning, it warmed up enough for the kids to go outside. (That made all the adults very happy!)
They had fun doing sidewalk paint and side walk chalk, and just running around being kids.
I have some more pictures that I will try to post tomorrow before we go on our next trip. We are going to take a field trip on Friday to West Glacier to look for the Harlequin Ducks. Then we will go to see the Orts in Kalispell for the rest of Friday and Saturday. We have to be back on Sunday for Children's Church.
We have been busy this week, catching up on things and unpacking from the trip. We are mostly back to our normal schedule, although the kids behavior is not quite back to normal. Someone (who will remain nameless) has already been to time out 4 times this morning, and has been told to expect an early nap time today. Someone else has been to timeout twice, and probably deserved it more than that. Someone else is grounded from Nintendo and computer games for the day, and has to earn the privileges back. On days like these, I feel very mean, but I know that the consistency and discipline will make everyone happy in the long run.
There is always some adjustment after being away from home for a week. However, I don't want all good behavior to go out the window. We will probably be traveling on many weekends in May and June, so I am trying to reinforce good habits and behavior now.